HOUSTON (AP) — Spencer Torkelson tied a career high with three hits, highlighted by a two-run homer in the eighth inning to lead the Detroit Tigers over the Houston Astros 6-3 on Tuesday night.
The Tigers, who got a 7-6 victory in 11 innings Monday, have won two games against the Astros after being swept by the Rays in their opening series.
Detroit led by 1 with one out in the eighth when Riley Greene tied a career high with his third hit of the night on a single to center. Torkelson followed with his soaring shot that bounced high on the center field wall to make it 5-2.
Matt Manning (1-0) yielded six hits with two walks and two runs in 5 2/3 innings in his season debut.
Houston starter Framber Valdez (0-1) allowed eight hits and three runs — two earned — with nine strikeouts in seven innings.
Kyle Tucker homered with two hits and two RBIs for the World Series champion Astros, who fell to 2-4.
The score was tied with one out in the sixth when Greene hit an infield single. Torkelson singled before both players advanced on a passed ball by catcher Martín Maldonado. Detroit took a 3-2 lead when Greene scored on a groundout by Eric Haase.
Greene also had a big night on defense, likely robbing Yordan Alvarez of extra bases when he made a diving catch in center field for the first out of the sixth inning.
Torkelson's RBI double with two outs in the first gave Detroit a 1-0 lead.
Alex Bregman walked with one out in the bottom of the inning before a one-out single by José Abreu. Tucker then singled to left field to send Bregman home and tie it at 1-all.
There was one out in the first when Matt Vierling walked before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Greene singled on a grounder to left field with two outs.
Vierling attempted to score on the play, but Alvarez’s throw home was just in time for Martín Maldonado to tag him at the plate to end the inning.
Houston took the lead when Tucker smacked his second homer of the season to the seats in right-center to start the fourth.
Jonathan Schoop singled with no outs in the fifth before another wild pitch by Valdez sent him to second. Jake Rogers singled to score Schoop and tie it at 2-2.
An RBI double by Vierling drove in a run with two outs in the ninth.
PUSHED BACK
The start of Houston’s series at Minnesota has been postponed from Thursday until Friday because of inclement weather expected in the area. The Astros were supposed to open the series Thursday before continuing it after a day off Friday.
UP NEXT
Detroit’s Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1, 5.06 ERA) opposes Cristian Javier (0-0, 5.40) when the series wraps up Wednesday. ___
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